Projects should comply with the editions in the reference guide or applicable LEED addenda issued before the project's registration date.

Graphic Arts (Sign) Coating is found in SCAQMD 1113, Table 1 - VOC Limits, with 500 g/l as the current limit.

SCAQMD Rule 1168 includes definitions of categories that can be helpful in determining where and how your product should be categorized to determine corresponding VOC thresholds.


Any applied products that have the potential to communicate their emissions to the indoor air would need to be considered for IEQc4.1, but if they have little or no potential they can be excluded. This leaves room for interpretation, so projects are encouraged to take an inclusive view of what they include. For more detail, reference LEED Interpretations 809, 811, 3716, and 5955. These are not explicitly applicable to all LEED projects and credits, but nonetheless offer the most specific guidance LEEDuser has found on this issue.

Yes, if you have just one non-compliant product, then you can balance it out with just one really good, low VOC product, as long as all your other products meet the requirement. For example, if you have two gallons of non-compliant adhesive that is 100 g/L over its required threshold, then you can balance it out with enough compliant product where you show you are at least 100g/l under the required threshold, thus balancing the VOC budget.

Buildings that have a high level of complexity (highly integrated controls and advanced systems), that utilize a building automation system, and are big energy consumers may realize the biggest benefit of ongoing commissioning activities. Such buildings might include healthcare facilities, laboratories, or commercial office buildings with advanced controls.

All major energy-using systems are required to be covered by the ongoing commissioning plan. This includes systems that may be under tenant control. Keep in mind, though, that spaces under separate management control may be excluded from the credit requirements as long as no more than 10% of the total building space is excluded.

It is possible to meet EAc2.3 if you conducted an ASHRAE Level II Audit to meet EAc2.1, but it is generally impractical and not cost-effective. In order to meet EAc2.3, the project team would need to develop an ongoing commissioning plan, which would be based on a commissioning process rather than auditing activities conducted with the ASHRAE Level II Audit. Then, the team would need to implement at least 50% of the scope of commissioning work prior to the LEED submittal.

Products certified under an international third party certification may be compliant with the credit criteria. But it’s incumbent upon the project team to provide documentation demonstrating that the certification is comparable to or more rigorous than the accepted Green Seal and Environmental Choice standards.

For multi-tenant buildings, up to 10% of the floor area may be exempted from almost any credit if the area is not under management control. If you do not control the cleaning in more than 10% of your building, you will have to work closely with your tenants in order to achieve the relevant green cleaning credits. For EQp3, on the other hand, the scope of the green cleaning policy can be limited to the areas directly controlled by building management. This applies to the EQp3 policy only, and not to the EQc3 credits.